New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

The Old Mortuary Chapel

By Richard E. Miller, July 13, 2009

1. The Old Mortuary Chapel Marker

Inscription.

The Old Mortuary Chapel. . Built in 1826 as a burial church for victims of yellow fever, the chapel is the oldest surviving church in the city. Now Our Lady of Guadalupe, the chapel is the official chapel of the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments.

Built in 1826 as a burial church for victims of yellow fever, the chapel is the oldest surviving church in the city. Now Our Lady of Guadalupe, the chapel is the official chapel of the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments.

Erected by Louisiana Tourist Commission.

Location. 29° 57.497′ N, 90° 4.225′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. Marker is at the intersection of North Rampart Street and Conti Street, in the median on North Rampart Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Orleans LA 70112, United States of America.

2. The Old Mortuary Chapel Marker in median at far left, in front of Our Lady of Guadlupe Church

with Shangarai Chasset-Gates of Mercy Marker in median, center right

epidemic of yellow fever of monstrous proportions occurred. In the month of August alone nine hundred sixty-seven persons died during the first week; twelve hundred eighty-eight fell during the second week; thirteen hundred forty-six in the third and twelve hundred forty- three during the fourth week. Most of the deaths occurred among the unacclimated immigrants who lived in crowded tenements or in flimsy shacks often lacking simple sanitary facilities. But in 1853, the native born who had considered themselves immune to the disease were attacked by 'Bronze John' and even the blacks, long thought to be exempt from the disease, contracted yellow fever. Writing in The Diary of A Samaritan, William L. Robinson, a member of the Howard Association, described the epidemic. (The Howards were a group of young men who banded together to help the unfortunate victims of the plague)... (Submitted on August 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2017. This page originally submitted on August 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,212 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

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